The couple accused of being present during the genital mutilation of two young girls have denied the alleged offences.
A man and woman appeared in Parramatta local court on Wednesday charged with two counts of female mutilation.
Police allege the girls were aged six and seven when the procedure was carried out in a Sydney home 18 months ago.
"Other than an absolute denial of the allegations, there's nothing further to say," the couple's solicitor John Sutton told reporters outside the court.
Six other people have been charged with related offences, including a 68-year-old woman.
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The retired nurse has been charged with performing the procedure on the two girls. During the couple's brief court appearance, Mr Sutton said there had been no reference that the alleged offences were related to religious traditions.
"It is a very small community," Mr Sutton said about the accused. "A very small religious order.
"The allegation has nothing to do with religion."
A 56-year-old man, charged with being an accessory after the fact to the alleged mutilation and with hindering the police investigation, appeared with the couple in court on Wednesday.
Their bail conditions were continued until their next appearance in the same court on November 8.
The retired nurse will appear in Campbelltown Local Court on October 3. The other accused will appear in the same court on November 7.
